Camera and printing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A camera and a printing apparatus are provided, which are able to produce a high-quality photographic print with the optimum density for a human subject within a short period of time. When a human subject taking switch  14  is turned on to receive an instruction for the camera user to take a human subject photograph, that is, when an instruction for a camera user to take a human subject photograph is inputted, a magnetic recording circuit  28  controls the magnetic head so as to write, in synchronism with winding of the film, information indicative of human subject photography, i.e. the subject is one or more persons (human subject information) and other information (photographic information, date and time information, and the like) in a magnetic information-recording section  21  on the film.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a camera that recordsphotographic information on human subject photography and a printingapparatus that reflects the photographic information in photographicprints.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Conventionally, an image that is exposed on a film by aphotographic camera is developed and finished as a photographic print bya printing apparatus.

[0005] Ordinarily, professionals at laboratories, not camera users,carry out the printing operation. At the laboratories, a print densitythat is considered to be suitable in view of information such as a filmdensity is determined prior to the printing operation. Since peopleother than the camera users carry out the printing operation, however,the finished prints may have different densities from what is expectedby the camera users and may displease them.

[0006] Particularly, if a main subject is a person, it is necessary tobe attentive to the printing operation since a photographic print inwhich the subject is partially dark or white displeases a camera user inmany cases. It is therefore important to determine what the main subjectis and whether the main subject is a person in the printing operation.Accordingly, a method has been proposed which comprises extracting aperson on a film with reference to image information and main subjectinformation on the film and adjusting the print density so that theextracted person can be printed with the optimum density (JapaneseLaid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 5-127270).

[0007] A camera has also been proposed which recognizes the position ofa main subject and records information on the recognized position(Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 5-158132).

[0008] Another camera has been proposed which estimates that a mainsubject is a person and selects distance measurement data frominformation on the estimation result (Japanese Laid-Open PatentPublication (Kokai) No. 8-054558).

[0009] It is, however, necessary to carry out vast amounts of operationsin reading image information on a film during printing operation andanalyzing an image with reference to the image information to extract aperson. Therefore, this method is difficult to execute at laboratoriesthat are required to complete a large amount of work within a shortperiod of time.

[0010] Further, even if a camera records the position of a main subjecton a film and the film is read at laboratories, an image cannot beprinted with the optimum density for a human subject since it isimpossible to determine whether the main subject is a landscape, aperson or an object.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide acamera and a printing apparatus that are able to produce a high-qualityphotographic print with the optimum density for a human subject within ashort period of time.

[0012] To attain the above object, a first aspect of the presentinvention provides a camera comprising an input device for inputting aninstruction for a camera user to take a human subject photograph, and arecording device responsive to inputting of the instruction for thecamera user to take the human subject photograph by the input device,for recording information indicative of human subject photography in amanner corresponding to a captured image.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the first aspect, the input devicecomprises an operation switch.

[0014] In another preferred embodiment, the input device comprises aspeech recognition device.

[0015] To attain the above object, a second aspect of the presentinvention provides a camera comprising a determination device fordetermining a value representing a possibility of human subjectphotography according to at least one setting condition which is likelyto be used for human subject photography, among a plurality of settingconditions relating to a photographing operation, and the recordingdevice for recording the value representing the possibility of humansubject photography determined by the determination device, in a mannercorresponding to a captured image.

[0016] Preferably, the at least one setting condition likely to be usedfor the human subject photography includes at least one of a red-eyealleviation mode, a portrait mode, a number-of-prints setting, aself-timer mode, and a remote control mode.

[0017] To attain the above object, a third aspect of the presentinvention provides a camera comprising the determination device fordetermining a value representing a possibility of human subjectphotography according to a plurality of setting conditions which arelikely to be used for human subject photography among a plurality ofsetting conditions relating to a photographing operation, the recordingdevice for recording the value representing the possibility of humansubject photography, determined by the determination device, in a mannercorresponding to a captured image, and wherein the determination devicedetermines the value representing the possibility of human subjectphotography, by accumulating values representing possibilities of humansubject photography corresponding respectively to the plurality ofsetting conditions which are likely to be used for human subjectphotography.

[0018] To attain the above object, a fourth aspect of the presentinvention provides a camera comprising the determination device fordetermining a value representing a possibility of human subjectphotography by recognizing at least one speech or at least one speechsimilar thereto, and the recording device for recording the valuerepresenting the possibility of human subject photography determined bythe determination device, in a manner corresponding to a captured image.in a preferred embodiment of the first second and fourth aspects, therecording device magnetically records the information on a film.

[0019] Alternatively, the recording device records the information in anexternal memory.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the first to fourth aspects, thecamera further comprises a calculating device for calculating a subjectimage magnification, and if the subject image magnification calculatedby the calculating device lies in a predetermined range, the recordingdevice records the information indicative of human subject photographyin a manner corresponding to the captured image.

[0021] More preferably, the predetermined range of the subject imagemagnification is substantially between {fraction (1/150)} and {fraction(1/25)} in terms of 135 film magnification if a human subject isphotographed.

[0022] To attain the above object, a fifth aspect of the presentinvention provides a printing apparatus that adjusts a print densityaccording to the information indicative of human subject photography orthe value representing the possibility of human subject photography, theinformation or the value being magnetically recorded on the film by acamera according to any of the first to fourth aspects.

[0023] The above and other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 is a view showing the front face of a camera according to afirst embodiment of the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 2 is a view showing the back face of the camera in FIG. 1;

[0026]FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a film for use with the camerain FIG. 1;

[0027]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of electricalcircuits in the camera in FIG. 1;

[0028]FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of a microcomputer 22in FIG. 4;

[0029]FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a process of producing aphotographic print;

[0030]FIGS. 7A and 7B is a flow chart showing the operation of amicrocomputer 22 according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0031]FIG. 8 is a view showing the front face of a camera according to athird embodiment of the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of electricalcircuits in the camera in FIG. 8; and

[0033]FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operation of a microcomputer49 in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereunder bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] (First Embodiment)

[0036]FIG. 1 is a view showing the front face of a camera according to afirst embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a taking lens; 2, ashutter release button; 3, a finder objective window; 4, an AF(auto-focus) infrared-emitting section; 5, an AF light-receivingsection; 6, a strobe light-emitting section; 7, a light measuringsection; 8, a remote controlled light-receiving section. This structureis substantially the same as the outside structure of an ordinarycamera.

[0038]FIG. 2 is a view showing the back face of the camera in FIG. 1.

[0039] In FIG. 2, reference numeral 9 denotes a finder eyepiece window,and reference numeral 10 denotes a crystal display that displays thesetting conditions of the camera. Reference numerals 11 and 12 denotezoom switches for use in changing the focal length of a lens to awide-angle side and a telephoto-angle side, respectively. Referencenumeral 13 denotes a camera mode dial for use in optimizing thephotographing conditions of the camera for a subject. By operating thecamera mode dial 13, a camera user selects various photographic settingconditions according to a subject.

[0040] Examples of the photographic setting conditions are as follows:

[0041] OFF mode: a mode for stopping the operation of the camera orhousing the camera;

[0042] A (auto) mode: a mode for selecting a standard program forselecting a shutter speed, an aperture value, and the like so as toshoot an ordinary subject;

[0043] P (portrait) mode: a mode for selecting a function ofautomatically changing the focal length according to the distancederived from AF results so that a shooting magnification can be about{fraction (1/25)}-{fraction (1/30)} in order to make a picturecomposition suitable for a portrait (auto-zooming function), or anexposure controlling function of shading off the background by openingup the lens; and

[0044] S (sports) mode: a mode for selecting a high shutter speed so asto shoot a fast-moving subject such as an exercising person and arunning vehicle, or selecting a servo mode AF so as to cause an AFmechanism to continuously follow a moving subject.

[0045] Reference numeral 14 denotes a human subject taking switch(operation switch) that is operated by a camera user who is taking ahuman subject photograph. The input of this switch causes the camera tomagnetically record information, which indicates that a human subject isto be photographed in a next shot, in an information-recording sectionon the film, described later. Reference numeral 15 denotes anumber-of-prints setting switch. The input of this switch causes thecamera to magnetically record information, which indicates a desirednumber of prints for a subject to be shot next, in theinformation-recording section on the film.

[0046] Reference numeral 16 denotes a self-timer/remote-control modesetting switch. The input of this switch causes the camera to shoot asubject in a next shot in a self timer mode or a remote control mode.Reference numeral 17 denotes a red-eye alleviation mode setting switch.The input of this switch sets the camera to a red-eye alleviation mode.A red-eye effect means that when a person in dark is shot by a strobe, astrobe light reflects on the retinas of the person to make his or hereyes red in a finished photoprint. If the camera is set to the red-eyealleviation mode, a redeye alleviation function of reducing the pupil ofa subject is executed by lighting a lamp or emitting a strobe light fora predetermined period of time before strobe light photography.

[0047]FIG. 3 is a view showing a film for use with the camera in FIG. 1.

[0048] In FIG. 3, reference numeral 18 denotes a film whose entiresurface is coated with a transparent magnetic recording layer. Referencenumeral 19 denotes a perforation for use in finding a feed position ofthe film, and reference numeral 20 denotes an image exposure surface onwhich an image is exposed. Reference numeral 21 denotes a magneticrecording section corresponding to the image exposure surface. Variouspieces of photographic information on a subject to be photographed in aframe corresponding to the image exposure surface are recorded in themagnetic recording section 21 by a magnetic head, not illustrated.

[0049]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of electricalcircuits in the camera in FIG. 1.

[0050] In FIG. 4, reference numeral 22 denotes a microcomputer thatcontrols the operation of the camera as a whole. Reference numerals 23and 34 denote switches that operate in association with the shutterrelease button 2: a switch SW1 is turned on by depressing half theshutter release button 2, and a switch SW2 is turned on by fullydepressing the shutter release button 2.

[0051] Reference numeral 25 denotes a light measuring circuit thatmeasures the subject brightness, and the measurement result is used fordetermining an exposure value. Reference numeral 26 denotes a distancemeasuring circuit that measures the distance to a subject (subjectdistance), and the measurement result is used for calculating a lensdrive amount that is required for focusing. Reference numeral 27 denotesa film feeding circuit that controls the operation of a motor forwinding and rewinding the film. Reference numeral 28 denotes a magneticrecording circuit that records photographic information in the magneticrecording section 21 on the film and controls the magnetic head for usein reading the recorded photographic information. Reference numeral 29denotes a switch sensing circuit that detects the conditions of thecamera mode dial 13 and other various setting switches.

[0052] Reference numeral 30 denotes a lens control circuit that controlsa focusing operation of the lens according to the calculated lens driveamount, and reference numeral 31 denotes a shutter control circuit thatopens and closes a shutter according to the exposure value. Referencenumeral 32 denotes a strobe control circuit that controls the emissionof a strobe light. Reference numeral 33 denotes a liquid crystal displaycircuit that controls the conditions of various setting switchesdetected by the switch sensing circuit 29, that is, a screen of a liquidcrystal display 34 that displays the conditions or status of settingswitches for setting various shooting modes, the number of prints, andothers.

[0053] A description will be given of the operation of the microcomputer22 according to the first embodiment with reference to a flow chart ofFIG. 5.

[0054] At the start of the operation, the camera mode dial 13 is rotatedfrom an OFF position to another position to turn on a power supply to acamera body. The switch sensing circuit 29 then detects the conditionsor status of various control members and switches. If it is thendetermined in a step Si that the switch SW1 has been turned on bydepressing half the shutter release button 2, the process proceeds to astep S2.

[0055] In the step S2, information is inputted from the light measuringcircuit 25 and the distance measuring circuit 26 so as to findinformation on the subject brightness and the subject distance. Theexposure value is determined according to such information and a knownfilm sensitivity.

[0056] In a step S3, the status of the switch SW 1 is detected again. Ifthe switch SW1 is OFF, the process returns to the step S1. If the switchSW1 is still ON, the process proceeds to a step S4 so as to detect thestatus of the switch SW2. When the shutter release button 2 is fullydepressed to turn on the switch SW2, the process proceeds to a step S5.If the switch SW2 is OFF, the process returns to the step S3.

[0057] In the step S5, the lens control circuit 30 determines the lensdrive amount according to the subject distance information acquired inthe step S2, and then drives the lens to a focusing position. If thelens has moved to a predetermined position, the process proceeds to astep S6 wherein the shutter control circuit 31 and the strobe controlcircuit 32 control the opening and closing actions of the shutter andthe emission of the strobe light to expose a subject image on the film.

[0058] Upon completion of the exposure, the process proceeds to a stepS7 wherein a feed motor rotates under the control of the film feedingcircuit 27 to start winding the film.

[0059] In a step S8, the status of the human subject taking switch 14 isdetected. When the human subject taking switch 14 is ON, that is, whenan instruction for a camera user to take a human subject photograph isinputted, the process proceeds to a step S9. In the step S9, themagnetic recording circuit 28 controls the magnetic head so as to write,in synchronism with winding of the film, information indicative of humansubject photography, i.e. the subject is one or more persons (humansubject information) and other information (photographic information,date and time information, and the like) in the magneticinformation-recording section 21 on the film. An example of the humansubject information is a mark that enables human subject photography tobe recognized when the printing operation is carried out at a laboratoryor the like.

[0060] After the information is recorded in the magneticinformation-recording section 21 on the film, the process proceeds to astep S10. If the human subject taking switch 14 is OFF in the step S8,the process proceeds to the step S10 while skipping the step S9. If itis detected in the step S10 that the film has been wound by one frame,the sequence of operations is finished and the process returns to thestart of the operation. If the film has not yet been wound by one frame,the process returns to the step S7.

[0061]FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the process of making aphotographic print.

[0062] An exposed film is printed by a printing apparatus that is placedat a laboratory or the like. If the information indicative of humansubject photography is recorded in the magnetic information-recordingsection 21 on the film, the printing apparatus sets the print densityaccording to this information.

[0063] According to the present embodiment, when receiving theinstruction for the camera user to take a human subject photograph(turning on the human subject taking switch 14), the camera records theinformation indicative of human subject photography in association withan exposure frame (captured image) on the film. Therefore, when theimage is printed, the printing apparatus can produce a high grade printwith the optimum density for the face of a person as the subjectaccording to the information indicative of human subject photography.

[0064] Instead of the human subject taking switch 14, a speechrecognition circuit may be used to input the instruction for the camerauser to take a human subject photograph. Further alternatively, thesight line of a camera user who is looking through the finder may bedetected by using a human subject photograph input region provided inthe view field of the finder to thereby input the instruction to take ahuman subject photograph.

[0065] (Second Embodiment)

[0066] Next, a description will be given of a camera according to asecond embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] The camera according to this embodiment has the same mechanicalstructure, circuit arrangement, and the like as those of the cameraaccording to the first embodiment, and thus description thereof isomitted.

[0068] The present embodiment is characterized in that the camera isable to determine the possibility that a human subject has beenphotographed, according to the conditions of various setting modeswithout receiving an instruction for a camera user to take a humansubject photograph. The microcomputer 22 has a counter that counts avalue (counter value) representing the possibility of human subjectphotography.

[0069]FIG. 7A and 7B is a flow chart showing the operation of themicrocomputer 22 according to the present embodiment.

[0070] At the start of the operation, the mode dial 13 rotates from anOFF position to another position to turn on the power supply to thecamera body. The switch sensing circuit 29 then receives the input ofvarious control members and switches. In a step S11, the counter isreset. The process then proceeds to a step S12 so as to store focallength information transmitted from a lens focal length detector, notshown. The process then proceeds to a step S13.

[0071] From the step S13 through a step S19, the switch sensing circuit29 detects the output of various setting conditions relating to aphotographing operation and counts the counter value.

[0072] In the step S13, the status of the red-eye alleviation modesetting switch 17 is detected. If the red-eye alleviation mode is set,the process proceeds to a step S14 so as to cause the counter to countforward. If the red-eye alleviation mod is not set, the process proceedsto a step S15 without causing the counter to count forward. When thered-eye alleviation mode is selected, the counter is caused to countforward because there is a high possibility that a human subject will bephotographed.

[0073] Similarly, the counter is caused to count up at the step S15through a step S20 when the portrait mode is designated by operating thecamera mode dial 13 (the portrait mode is originally set for taking ahuman subject photograph), when a plural number of prints is designatedby operating the number-of-prints setting switch 15 (there is a highpossibility that a picture of plural persons will be taken and printsthereof will be handed to the persons), and when the self-timer mode orthe remote control mode is designated by operating the self timermode/remote control mode setting switch 16 (there is a high possibilitythat a human subject will be photographed as in the case of acommemorative picture).

[0074] If it is then detected in the next step S21 that the switch SW1has been turned on by depressing half the shutter release button 2, theprocess proceeds to a step S22. In the step S22, information is inputtedfrom the light measuring circuit 25 and the distance measuring circuit26 to acquire information on the subject brightness and the subjectdistance. An exposure value is determined according to this informationand the film sensitivity.

[0075] In the next step S23, the status of the switch SW1 is detected.If the switch SW1 is OFF, the process returns to the step S11. If theswitch SW1 is ON, the process proceeds to a step S24 to detect thestatus of the SW2. When the shutter release button 2 is fully depressedto turn on the switch SW2, the process proceeds to a step S25. If theswitch SW2 is OFF, the process returns to the step S22.

[0076] In the step S25, the lens control circuit 30 determines a lensdrive amount according to the information on the subject distanceacquired in the step S22, and then drives the lens to a focusingposition. If the lens has moved to a predetermined position, the processproceeds to a step S26. In the step S26, the shutter control circuit 31and the strobe control circuit 32 control the opening and closingactions of the shutter and the emission of the strobe light,respectively, according to the exposure value determined in the step S22to expose a subject image on the film.

[0077] Upon completion of the exposure, the process proceeds to a stepS27 wherein the feed motor rotates under the control of the film feedcircuit 27 to start winding the film.

[0078] The process then proceeds to a step S28 wherein the imagemagnification of a subject to be photographed is calculated from thelens focal length stored in the step S12 and the subject distancemeasured in the step S22. The process then proceeds to a step S29.Specifically, the image magnification of a subject to be photographed isfound by dividing the lens focal length stored in the step S12 by thesubject distance measured in the step S22. Even if a human subject isphotographed, there is no use determining the print density based on theface of the subject when the size of the human subject is too small ortoo large in the picture. Accordingly, it is determined in the step S29whether the image magnification lies inside a predetermined range. Thepredetermined range is substantially between {fraction (1/150)} and{fraction (1/25)} in the case of a 135 film, and is substantiallybetween {fraction (1/214)} and {fraction (1/36)} in the case of an APSfilm. In a digital camera with a smaller image screen size, thepredetermined range is set to a smaller value range.

[0079] If the size of a person or persons lies in a certain meaningfulrange at the time of printing (that is, the image magnification lies inthe predetermined range), the process proceeds to a step S30 to detectthe status of the respective switches and magnetically record thecounted-up counter value on the film as is the case with the firstembodiment. The larger the counter value, the higher the possibilitythat a human subject has been photographed. At the time of printing, analgorithm for finding the print density may be changed according to thecounter value. Instead of the counter value, a mark or the like may beused to indicate the possibility of human subject photography.

[0080] If it is detected in a step S31 that the film has been wound byone frame, the sequence of operations is finished and the processreturns to the starting point. If the film has not yet been wound by oneframe, the proceeds returns to the step S27.

[0081] If the image magnification lies outside the predetermined rangein the step S29, the process proceeds to a step S32 to reset the countervalue. More specifically, even if the counter value indicates a highpossibility that a human subject has been photographed, the informationindicating a low possibility of human subject photography, i.e. thereset counter value is magnetically recorded on the film when the imagemagnification lies outside the predetermined range.

[0082] According to the present embodiment, the camera graduallydetermines the possibility of human subject photography according to thesetting conditions and the image magnification, which are likely to beused for taking a human subject photograph, i.e. the focal length andthe subject distance without receiving an instruction from a camera userwho is taking a human subject photograph. The determination result canbe recorded on the film.

[0083] Moreover, the printing apparatus in FIG. 6 is able to set theprint density on the basis of a value, which is recorded on the film toindicate the possibility of human subject photography. This makes itpossible to produce a high grade photographic print with the optimumdensity for a human subject.

[0084] In the first embodiment and a later-described third embodiment aswell, if the image magnification lies in the predetermined range, theinformation indicative of human subject photography or the valueindicating the possibility of human subject photography may be recordedon the film.

[0085] (Third Embodiment)

[0086]FIG. 8 shows the front face of a camera according to the thirdembodiment.

[0087] In FIG. 8, reference numeral 41 denotes a taking lens; 42, ashutter release button; 43, a finder objective window; 44, an AFinfrared-emitting section; 45, an AF light-receiving section; 46, astrobe-emitting section; 47, a light measuring section; and 48, amicrophone for recording ambient sounds.

[0088]FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of electricalcircuits in the camera in FIG. 8.

[0089] In FIG. 9, reference numeral 49 denotes a microcomputer thatcontrols the operation of the camera as a whole. Reference numeral 50and 51 denote switches that operate in association with the shutterrelease button 42: a switch SW1 is turned on by depressing half theshutter release button 42, and a switch SW2 is turned on by fullydepressing the shutter release button 42.

[0090] Reference numeral 52 denotes a light measuring circuit, whichmeasures the subject brightness, and the measurement result is used indetermining the exposure value. Reference numeral 53 denotes a distancemeasuring circuit, which measures the distance to the subject, and themeasurement result is used in calculating a lens drive amount requiredfor focusing. Reference numeral 54 denotes a film feeding circuit, whichcontrols the operation of a motor for winding and rewinding the film.Reference numeral 55 denotes a magnetic recording circuit, which recordsphotographic information in a magnetic recording section on the film andcontrols a magnetic head for use in reading the photographic informationrecorded in the magnetic recording section. Reference numeral 56 denotesa switch sensing circuit, which detects the conditions or status ofvarious setting switches.

[0091] Reference numeral 57 denotes a lens control circuit that controlsthe focusing action of the lens according to the calculated lens driveamount, and reference numeral 58 denotes a shutter control circuit thatcontrols the opening and closing actions of the shutter according to theexposure value. Reference numeral 59 denotes a strobe control circuitthat controls the emission of a strobe light. Reference numeral 60denotes a liquid crystal display circuit that controls the conditions ofvarious setting switches detected by the switch sensing circuit 56, thatis, a screen of a liquid crystal display 61 that displays the conditionsof setting switches indicating various shooting modes, the number ofprints, and the like.

[0092] Reference numeral 62 denotes a sound circuit, which is comprisedof a microphone control circuit section that controls a microphone 63for converting the ambient sounds into electric signals, and a speechrecognition circuit section that extracts specific words from recordedsound signals.

[0093] Referring next to a flow chart of FIG. 10, there will bedescribed the operation of the microcomputer 49 according to the presentembodiment.

[0094] At the start of the operation, the power supply to the camerabody is turned on by depression of a camera main switch or the like. Theprocess then proceeds to a step S41.

[0095] In the step S41, the sound circuit 62 is activated to collect theambient sounds in the surroundings of the camera picked up by themicrophone 63. The collected sound information is sampled at regulartime intervals so as to determine whether specific words registered inthe speech recognition circuit section, e.g. words indicating a highpossibility of human subject photography are included in the soundinformation or not. A human subject information value indicating thepossibility of human subject photography is determined according to howmuch human subject information is included in the sound informationsampled at regular time intervals. The higher the human subjectinformation value, the higher the possibility that a human subjectphotograph will be taken.

[0096] For example, if “Now, smile”, “Turn here, please”, and “Miss. ∘∘”are registered as specific words, the human subject information value isdetermined by picking out these specific words from the sounds in thesurroundings of the camera. The human subject information value isoutputted at regular time intervals, and the microcomputer 49temporarily records these values.

[0097] The above determination should not necessarily be made for theabove specific words, but may also be made for other similar words.

[0098] If it is recognized in the next step S42 that the switch SW1 hasbeen turned on by depressing half the shutter release button 42, theprocess proceeds to a step S43. In the step S43, information is inputtedfrom the light measuring circuit 52 and the distance measuring circuit53 so as to find the subject brightness and the subject distance, and anexposure value is determined according to this information and a knownfilm sensitivity. In the next step S44, the status of the switch SW1 isdetected again. If the switch SW1 is OFF, the process returns to thestep S42, and if the switch SW1 is ON, the process proceeds to a stepS45 to detect the status of the switch SW2. If the switch SW2 is turnedon by fully depressing the shutter release button 42, the processproceeds to a step S46. If the switch SW2 is OFF, the process returns tothe step S44.

[0099] In the step S46, the lens control circuit 57 determines the lensdrive amount according to the subject distance information acquired inthe step S43, and drives the lens to a focusing position. If the lenshas moved to a predetermined position, the process proceeds to a stepS47 wherein the shutter control circuit 58 and the strobe controlcircuit 59 control the opening and closing actions of the shutter andthe emission of a strobe light, respectively, according to the exposurevalue determined in the step S43 to expose a subject image on the film.

[0100] After the exposure, the process proceeds to a step S48 wherein afeed motor rotates under the control of the film feeding circuit 54 tostart winding the film.

[0101] In the step S49, one value is selected from multiple humansubject information values that have been recorded at regular timeintervals since the sound circuit is activated in the step S41. Onehuman subject information value may be selected arbitrarily. Forexample, a human subject information value just before the exposure maybe selected, and the maximum value in a time zone several sectionsbefore the value just before the exposure value may be selected.

[0102] The process then proceeds to a step S50. In synchronism with thefilm winding action, the magnetic head writes the human subjectinformation value as well as other information (e.g. photographicinformation and information on date and time) in the magneticinformation-recording section on the film under the control of themagnetic recording circuit 55. Upon completion of the writing in themagnetic information-recording section on the film, the process proceedsto a step S51.

[0103] If it is detected in the step S51 that the film has been wound byone frame, the process proceeds to a step S52 to clear the human subjectinformation value and stop the operation of the sound circuit, tothereby complete the sequence of the operations. If the film has not yetbeen wound by one frame, the process returns to the step S48.

[0104] According to the present embodiment, speech informationindicating a high possibility that a human subject will be photographedis recognized from the information on sounds in the surroundings of thecamera, and the camera then determines the possibility that a humansubject will be photographed (the human subject information value)according to the speech information and records the determination resulton the film.

[0105] Further, the printing apparatus in FIG. 6 determines the printdensity on the basis of the human subject information value, and thismakes it possible to make a high grade print in which the face of ahuman subject has the optimum density.

[0106] In the above described embodiments, the information indicative ofhuman subject photography or the value representing the possibility ofhuman subject photography is magnetically recorded on the film havingthe magnetic recording layer. It is needless to say, however, that thesame effects can be achieved by using a camera that is used with a filmhaving no magnetic recording layer and records the information in anexternal memory. In this case, the printing operation is carried outbased upon the information stored in the external memory and the filmhaving no magnetic recording layer at a laboratory.

[0107] Further, the same effects can be achieved by a digital camerawhich records the information as data corresponding to image informationor records the information in an external memory such as a compact flashcard.

[0108] According to the camera of the present invention, there is nonecessity of extracting a human subject by image analysis requiring avast amount of operations, and thus, a high grade print with the optimumdensity for a human subject can be produced according to the informationindicative of human subject photography or the value representing thepossibility of human subject photography, the information or the valuewhich is recorded in a manner corresponding to the captured image.

[0109] It should be understood, however, that there is no intention tolimit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on thecontrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternateconstructions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of theinvention as expressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera comprising: an input device forinputting an instruction for a camera user to take a human subjectphotograph; and a recording device responsive to inputting of theinstruction for the camera user to take the human subject photograph bysaid input device, for recording information indicative of human subjectphotography in a manner corresponding to a captured image.
 2. A cameraaccording to claim 1, wherein said recording device magnetically recordsthe information on a film.
 3. A camera according to claim 1, whereinsaid recording device records the information in an external memory. 4.A camera according to claim 1, wherein said input device comprises anoperation switch.
 5. A camera according to claim 1, wherein said inputdevice comprises a speech recognition device.
 6. A camera according toclaim 1, further comprising: a calculating device for calculating asubject image magnification; and wherein if the subject imagemagnification calculated by said calculating device lies in apredetermined range, said recording device records the informationindicative of human subject photography in a manner corresponding to thecaptured image.
 7. A camera according to claim 6, wherein thepredetermined range of the subject image magnification is substantiallybetween {fraction (1/150)} and {fraction (1/25)} in terms of 135 filmmagnification if a human subject is photographed.
 8. A cameracomprising: a determination device for determining a value representinga possibility of human subject photography according to at least onesetting condition which is likely to be used for human subjectphotography, among a plurality of setting conditions relating to aphotographing operation; and a recording device for recording the valuerepresenting the possibility of human subject photography determined bysaid determination device, in a manner corresponding to a capturedimage.
 9. A camera according to claim 8, wherein said recording devicemagnetically records the information on a film.
 10. A camera accordingto claim 8, wherein said recording device records the information in anexternal memory.
 11. A camera according to claim 8, wherein said atleast one setting condition likely to be used for the human subjectphotography includes at least one of a red-eye alleviation mode, aportrait mode, a number-of-prints setting, a self-timer mode, and aremote control mode.
 12. A camera according to claim 8, furthercomprising: a calculating device for calculating a subject imagemagnification; and wherein if the subject image magnification calculatedby said calculating device lies in a predetermined range, said recordingdevice records the information indicative of human subject photographyin a manner corresponding to the captured image.
 13. A camera accordingto claim 8, wherein: if a human subject is photographed, thepredetermined range of the subject image magnification is substantiallybetween {fraction (1/150)} and {fraction (1/25)} in terms of 135 filmmagnification.
 14. A camera comprising: a determination device fordetermining a value representing a possibility of human subjectphotography according to a plurality of setting conditions which arelikely to be used for human subject photography among a plurality ofsetting conditions relating to a photographing operation; a recordingdevice for recording the value representing the possibility of humansubject photography, determined by said determination device, in amanner corresponding to a captured image; and wherein said determinationdevice determines the value representing the possibility of humansubject photography, by accumulating values representing possibilitiesof human subject photography corresponding respectively to the pluralityof setting conditions which are likely to be used for human subjectphotography.
 15. A camera according to claim 14, further comprising: acalculating device for calculating a subject image magnification; andwherein if the subject image magnification calculated by saidcalculating device lies in a predetermined range, said recording devicerecords the information indicative of human subject photography in amanner corresponding to the captured image.
 16. A camera according toclaim 14, wherein the predetermined range of the subject imagemagnification is substantially between {fraction (1/150)} and {fraction(1/25)} in terms of 135 film magnification if a human subject isphotographed.
 17. A camera comprising: a determination device fordetermining a value representing a possibility of human subjectphotography by recognizing at least one speech or at least one speechsimilar thereto; and a recording device for recording the valuerepresenting the possibility of human subject photography determined bysaid determination device, in a manner corresponding to a capturedimage.
 18. A camera according to claim 17, wherein said recording devicemagnetically records the information on a film.
 19. A camera accordingto claim 17, wherein said recording device records the information in anexternal memory.
 20. A camera according to claim 17, further comprising:a calculating device that calculates a subject image magnification; andwherein if the subject image magnification calculated by saidcalculating device lies in a predetermined range, said recording devicerecords the information indicative of human subject photography in amanner corresponding to the captured image.
 21. A camera according toclaim 20, wherein the predetermined range of the subject imagemagnification is substantially between {fraction (1/150)} and {fraction(1/25)} in terms of 135 film magnification if a human subject isphotographed.
 22. A printing apparatus that adjusts a print densityaccording to the information indicative of human subject photography orthe value representing the possibility of human subject photography, theinformation or the value being magnetically recorded on the film by acamera according to any of claims 1 to 21.